Rivalry week is heating up in the desert as the Nevada Battleborn face off against there nemesis, the San Diego Tidal, for the second time this season. These teams dominate the southwestern market of the SMJHL, and naturally have grown to dislike each other based on proximity. 

In their first meeting, Nevada was able to squeeze out a win a despite being out shot. Stellar performances by both goalies had this game tied half way through the third, when the Battleborn went on the power play after an unsportsmanlike penalty by Ivanoff. Seconds later, Drew McIntyre fired one into the back of the net off a quick one-two pass from Marshal and Hennessy. 

The Battleborn dominated possession, winning 57% of the faceoffs. Yet they barely came away with a win where neither team could control their temper. Marshal took a bad interference call with 5 minutes left in the game, where The Tidal nearly tied it. Nevada committed 7 of the 13 total penalties, and were lucky that San Diego couldn’t convert. 

Game link: https://index.simulationhockey.com/smjhl...1210101419

In an intense rivalry like this, keeping your cool and playing controlled hockey is everything, something I’m sure each team is emphasizing going into their second matchup. But with these young players, who knows what energy they’ll bring to the ice when they’re up against a team they hate. I’m personally betting the over on total penalties for their next matchup.